Former Canuck Rypien dead at 27

Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien was found dead in his southwest Alberta home on Monday afternoon. He was 27.

Alberta RCMP spokesman Sgt. Patrick Webb said police were called to a home in Coleman after the hockey player was found deceased. Rypien’s death is not considered suspicious and has been deemed sudden.

Rypien’s agent Allain Roy said Monday evening before his client’s death had been confirmed that he was surprised at the spread of the then-rumoured event on Twitter. Roy said he’d spoken with Rypien on the weekend and that all seemed well.

“He was fine,” said Roy. “He was excited about going to Winnipeg and getting ready for training camp.”

Rypien, who played parts of six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, signed a one-year deal worth US$700,000 with the Jets as a free agent during the off-season. The cousin of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Mark Rypien had spent much of his pro career bouncing between the Canucks and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, which had been located in Winnipeg.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm Rick’s passing,” True North Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Jets, said in a news release. “As many people are aware, he had strong ties to True North Sports & Entertainment, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, the former Manitoba Moose Hockey Club and the Vancouver Canucks. We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the Rypien family as well as Rick’s friends.

“We also appreciate all of the support that has come pouring in from Rick’s fans. Rick was a talented player with an extremely bright future. His hunger for the game made him a valued team member both on and off the ice. This loss has impacted us as more than just a hockey team.”

Rypien was a paradox: a fearsome fighter, but someone whose personal demons took him away from the game he loved to play. Twice in his time in Vancouver he took personal leaves from the Canucks, the most recent last season.

Rypien is the second NHL enforcer to pass away at a young age in the last three months. New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard was found dead in his apartment on May 13, the victim of a deadly cocktail of painkillers and alcohol.

Rypien was remembered fondly by former teammates, including Jordan McGillivray, who played junior hockey with Rypien with the Western HockeyLeague’s Regina Pats.

“We were best friends for the three years that he played with the Pats,” McGillivray said. “He was part of our family for three years. My mom and dad are devastated.

“This has shaken everybody. I feel horrible for his family, and I’m really lost for words right now.”

Bill Sweatt, a former teammate with the Canucks and Moose, used his Twitter account to share his thoughts.

“This is just terrible. RIP rick. You were a great teammate and friend,” Sweatt wrote on his page on the social media website.

Rypien clearly fought some personal issues, but when he returned from his four-month leave of absence and joined the Moose last March, he made it clear to reporters in Winnipeg that substance abuse wasn’t involved. It’s believed he struggled with depression and other emotional issues and at the March news conference an uncharacteristically candid Rypien said he felt like he had finally come to the point in his life where he could reach out for help.

Early last season, before taking his leave, Rypien was involved in an incident with a fan in Minnesota on Oct. 19. Rypien was suspended for six games and the Canucks were fined US$25,000.

“I missed a lot of hockey, but certain things needed to be dealt with,” said Rypien upon his return to hockey in March. “I’ve got a totally different mindset now and I’m very excited. I’m more excited about playing hockey than I’ve ever been in my life.”

In 119 career NHL games, all with the Canucks, he had nine goals and seven assists and racked up 226 penalty minutes.

“Rick has been a beloved member of the Canucks family for the past six years,” the Canucks said in a statement. “Rick was a great teammate and friend to our players, coaches and staff. We send our deepest condolences to the Rypien family at this most difficult time.”